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Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Box Score

CHICAGO, Ill. (Oct. 29, 2011)-- Embracing the role of a spoiler, the North Central College men's soccer team emerged from the Holmgren Athletic Complex on Saturday night with a 2-1 victory over host North Park University, thwarting the Vikings' bid at a regular season College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin title.

The Cardinals (10-5-2, 2-3-2 CCIW) drew first blood with a T.J. Simmons assist setting up a Michael Curtis goal in the 23rd minute. North Central maintained its slim lead at the half despite getting outshot by a 10-3 margin by the Vikings (10-2-3, 4-2-1 CCIW).

A penalty kick in the 62nd minute allowed North Park to even the score at one apiece as Markus Fodstad drilled home the shot.

North Central would not be denied as Simmons tallied his second assist of the night, setting up Ryan Carroll's game-winning goal in the 85th minute of action. The Cardinals victory denied North Park a chance at the 2011 CCIW regular season crown as the Vikings finish second overall in the league standings.

Mike McEvoy recorded five saves in goal for the Cardinals to pick up the victory while his counterpart, Tim Ahlberg, made five saves in the losing effort.

The win closes the 2011 season for North Central, enjoying its first 10-win season since Jim Kulawiak's 1999 team that finished 14-6-0.